Compassionate Canines Programs
St. Charles Medical Centers at Bend and Redmond
We are looking for new and experienced Therapy Dog Teams at St. Charles. These Teams are a very important part of our volunteer program, helping patients by improving mood and cognition, lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and decreasing stress and depression. Therapy Dogs put smiles on everyone's face, patient, caregiver, and visitors alike. Volunteering at St. Charles and sharing your beloved pet with others is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities available. St. Charles Therapy Dogs must be 2 years old and have current registration through Pet Partners, Alliance of Therapy Dogs, or Therapy Dogs International and a current Rabies certificate.For more information click:
St. Charles Therapy Dog Volunteer Opportunities
St. Charles Therapy Dogs Video
Retirement and Assisted Living
Memory Care
HosPet
The HosPet program at Partners In Care features nurturing registered therapy dogs and dedicated volunteers who bring pet therapy to our hospice patients at home, in local care facilities, and in our Hospice House.
These qualified hospice volunteers and their therapy pets create an opportunity for socialization and comforting interaction, often reducing anxiety, sometimes promoting physical movement, and usually opening lines of communication. Pet therapy positively impacts the lives of those who are ill, grieving or withdrawn.
To learn more about our HosPet program, contact us at (541) 382-5882 or visit our website at partnersbend.org
Elk Meadow Elementary School DOG TALES
Reading Partner Teams are assigned two kids with each having their own 30 minutes to be shared with you and your dog. Reading Partner Teams have the opportunity to become an important part of a 4th or 2nd grade kid's life. Volunteering for the DOG TALES program is about making a connection and a difference with your dog by your side.
Behavior Transition Program
Behavior Transition Program is a specialized education program for children K-3 at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend that do not fit in to a regular classroom setting due to behavior constraints. Two Therapy Dog teams visit the classroom weekly and read one-on-one with the students. The teams are well versed in dealing with children who sometimes display no impulse control, have trouble dealing with anger and frustration, and are prone to outbursts and melt downs. The teachers and the students look forward to the teams visits, and the teachers feel that they are a godsend. Behaviors have improved, and the opportunity for the children to be gentle and appropriate around the therapy dogs has been a huge motivator for positive change.
Lunch and Learn
Read books! Eat food! Play games! Lunch and Learn is a FREE summer reading program. Lunch is provided to all children 18 years and under. Sponsored by Bend La Pine School District's Project HELP and Title 1. Each summer qualified Therapy Dog Teams volunteer for 1 to 1.5 hours one day a week at a designated Lunch and Learn site where kids can sit on a blanket and read to a dog. The on site teacher and other volunteers say the day the dogs are there are the days they have the most children.
High Schools
Therapy animal teams are scheduled to visit Bend area high schools. The teams typically visit once per week. Depending upon the school, the teams visit study halls, classes and special events to provide stress relief, reduce anxiety and improve emotional mood.
Central Oregon Community College Pet-A-Pup Stress Relief Day
Our Compassionate Canines participate in Pet-A-Pup, one of the favorite events each quarter during Stress Relief Week for the students at COCC. One day during the week before finals the students can come by for a quick visit with our dogs, or spend the afternoon petting the dogs, relaxing, catching their breath and letting go of the tension of cramming for tests. Some students come back each quarter just to see the dogs.
Hospice of Redmond Festival of Trees
Compassionate Canines of Central Oregon participates in the Hospice of Redmond Festival of Trees. The event is held during the first Saturday in December. We collect decorations, decorate the trees and visit with our teams. A live auction and gala is on Saturday evening.